The Ember In The Storm

Apprehension

    JACKSON gasped from his laying position as his eyes fluttered open. He instinctively reached for the bandage on his chest, feeling the tender wound beneath. His head whipped around the room, taking sight of his surroundings before his gaze landed on Roman ahead of him, his back turned as he spoke to a man in a medical attire.

He tried to speak, but his voice only came out as a raspy croak, his throat dry from being asleep for who knows how long. He cleared his throat loudly, trying to get his right hand man and the doctor's attention.

Roman's ears perked up at the sound of Jackson's raspy voice and he quickly looked over his shoulder, a mix of relief and surprise on his face. He dismissed the doctor with a nod before walking over to Jackson's bedside.

"You're finally awake.", he said, a hint of concern in his voice. "You gave us quite a scare."

Jackson blinked, still recovering from the dream— if that was what it was.

"Elizabeth," he whispered, his gaze fixated on the ceiling. Romans face softened as he heard that, gently reaching for his General's hand, trying to provide some comfort.

Jackson wanted to plead for them to take him back, whichever way, however, he wanted to get back to his wife and mother.

However, he himself was unsure if it was a dream his mind had made as a way of grieving or something more... veridical.

Jackson moved his body upright, resting against the wall behind with a wince and hiss, which earned him a few looks of worry from Roman.

"You should lay down. You still need to rest," the doctor instructed, walking to his other side.

Jackson effortlessly ignored him.

"Where's Luke?" Jackson faced Roman with a look of determination and slight concern.

Roman furrowed his eyebrows before taking his gaze to the white bandage snaked around his Generals chest, from under his right arm to his left shoulder and back.

"He's being taken to the Local Court by noontime for his..." Roman failed to finish his words, gulping the last word down. He would have said it, he was glad to say the word, but he knew Jackson still cared for the bastard.

Even so, Roman did not have to finish his sentence for Jackson to have an idea of what he meant. If Luke was going to the Local Court, it meant he was either going for trial or...

"How long have I been in here?" Jackson asked as he looked around the medical room.

"Three days," the doctor responded.

Jackson's eyes widened at that. He immediately began to shift in his bed, throwing the cover off for him to leave.

Roman straightened his back as he faced his General with bewilderment. "Where are you going? You're still not done recovering."

"As long as I can walk, I'm fine," he grumbled, hunched as he walked towards the door. He wore only his breeches, barefoot as he pushed the door open and began walking down the halls. Roman raced hot behind him, ranting about how everything was a bad idea.

"—he's been found of espionage, sir. What do you think they'll assume when you run in to save him like nothing?"

"I'm not running in to save him or whatever," Jackson grumbled. He finally reached the outside and he winced when he took a step down a stair. Small slight movements seemed to ache his pain more. He forced his way towards his horse that had been bound away.

"What's your plan?" Roman followed his General. He watched him try to unknot the rope binding Ash to the tree trunk. Jackson then tried forcing his way over her, except failing with each movement. He winced and seethed his teeth, holding a hand over his wound.